Overrated / Underrated 2011

Although the Philadelphia group is one of the top live bands and a longtime critical darling, its latest album seems to have floated under the radar amid all the year-end listmaking and holiday hype. Always known for ambitious recordings, the Roots up the ante with a taut concept album about the life and death of a street hustler, touching on elements of free jazz, atmospheric soul and something uniquely their own along the way.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Improbably appearing on “Saturday Night Live” twice this year, the Black Keys have gone from scrappy Ohio garage rockers to most likely the biggest American rock band in the world in 2012. After something like 30-odd years of listeners’ declaring that rock had run out of steam, there’s something wonderfully weird about a drums-and-guitar duo riding swaggering blues-rock to the top, and it sounds even better.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Seems like only yesterday that everyone danced on Blockbuster‘s grave while hugging red DVD envelopes to their chests, and now this once-beloved rental service is in a tailspin. A little schadenfreude comes naturally in watching a giant fall after colossally misjudging its audience, though it’s a little sad to consider what might’ve been. If there’s any bright side it’s that another, smarter company now has an opening to do this right.   (Robert Sullivan, AFP / Getty Images)

While mourning the apparent near-death of “Community” on the NBC schedule, there’s some comfort in knowing that whatever happens to Greendale Community College’s finest, we haven’t seen the last of the actor behind Troy. Already having written for “The Daily Show” and “30 Rock,” Glover revealed a smart, goofy charm in his stand-up special “Weirdo,” and his straight-faced hip-hop project Childish Gambino seems on the brink of a breakthrough.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

If it’s November, then awards season must be upon us. On the music front, this inevitably translates into more honors for country-pop juggernaut Taylor Swift, who earned another big win last week at the American Music Awards. While her breathless expressions of shock at her every accolade since 2008 have been endearing, it’s time for Swift to gracefully accept one truth after all this time: They like you, they really like you.   (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

It’s been easy to dismiss this enduring corner of electronic music as strictly confined to the club scene with its disco roots and dedication to a hypnotic, four-on-the-floor beat. But these days, you’re hard-pressed to find a chart-topping pop song that doesn’t have house music in its DNA, and a December concert with Europe’s Swedish House Mafia sold out Madison Square Garden in under an hour. One nation under a groove, indeed.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Like a strangely addictive mix between the vocal stylings of the Traveling Wilburys (Dylan and Tom Petty in particular) and the spaced-out atmospherics of the U.K.’s Spiritualized, this Philadelphia group sounds so much better than its political catchphrase name. Released this summer, the group’s brilliant sophomore album, “Slave Ambient,” pulls off the curious magic trick of sounding instantly familiar yet utterly new.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Somewhere between 2010’s mostly ignored double album “III/IV” (recorded in 2007) and the recently released “Ashes and Fire,” some music fans fell back in love with this singer-songwriter with claims that it’s his best work since “Heartbreaker.” While that may be true, considering how inconsistent his work has been, it’s a little mysterious. This collection is a pleasant collection of breezy folk-pop, but it’s nothing you haven’t heard before.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

They’ve inspired music by Johnny Cash, Duke Ellington and the Yardbirds, yet for some reason California seems hellbent on keeping rail travel sidetracked. The proposed bullet train to San Francisco now won’t run until 2033 — if at all, thanks to high cost projections — and given all the in-fighting, it’ll take about as many years for the long-promised “subway to the sea” to happen. Luckily, there’s still plenty of room for all our cars on the freeway.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Now a few oddly tepid episodes into its second season, something feels a little rotten in AMC’s much-hyped zombie-pocalypse series. Granted, some kinks are to be expected with a revamped the writing staff and the departure of show-runner Frank Darabont, but the wafer-thin characters, speech-heavy dialogue and aimless storytelling are ominous warning signs. Can someone breathe life into this thing?   (Gene Page / Associated Press)

Another day, another band from the past taking a late run at a comeback with motivation that sits somewhere between “unfinished business” and “strictly business.” Still, something genuinely special could happen with this Mancunian bunch, whose generation-defining first album helped launch the dance-crazed “Madchester” era. Never given a proper shot at stardom in the States, let’s hope these Roses return in full bloom.

>> Read more about the Stone Roses reunion on Pop & Hiss  (Dave J Hogan / Getty Images)

In case you haven’t noticed -- and judging by the relative lack of outcry, you haven’t -- there’s no pro basketball being played, thanks to an ongoing spat between players and owners. While arena employees and nearby businesses are left as collateral damage, what should be a reality check for all parties is how quickly everyone has adapted to life with one fewer team to follow. If they don’t act fast, there won’t be anyone left who missed them.

Pictured: The NBA’s deputy commissioner Adam Silver addressing reporters.  (Justin Lane / EPA)

Between a new craft beer scene and a growing awareness of the magic of a good barista, L.A. is starting to appreciate two of the finer yet simpler pleasures in life. But it may be time to call for a coffee break as the cost of a pour-over cup is now surpassing the rising cost of cappuccino, where some skill is required to pull a proper shot. Coffee is already full of hot water, but it might be taking on a little hot air.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

First Jeff Bridges follows up “Crazy Heart” with a record on Blue Note, and now “House’s” Hugh Laurie (pictured) tries his hand at New Orleans blues on “Let Them Talk.” Though these records have flashes of affable charm, this trend needs to be reined in before it spreads into more dangerous waters. Maybe a Roseanne-level national anthem meltdown could bring this trend back to Earth. Who will fall on that sword?   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

It says something about the magnetic quality of Britton’s acting that even when surrounded by the most cringe-inducing material from creator Ryan Murphy she remains unwaveringly watchable. Burdened by empty dialogue and unfortunate story turns that mistake shock value for genuine scares, Britton retains the charisma that made Tami Taylor from “Friday Night Lights” such a terrific character.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Last week when Amazon’s newest e-reader was announced, its relatively low price and expanded features had some calling it an “iPad killer.” Picking sides in corporate horse races is generally ill-advised, but it’s helpful to remember the Kindle Fire‘s purpose is to allow you to shop more with its maker. Plus it’s squeezing out indie bookstores as they make inroads into e-books, an idea that isn’t so hot.   (Mark Lennihan / Associated Press)

Times are tough for the industry, so it’s hard to blame the effort in trotting out another buffed and polished version of the Pink Floyd catalog last week. Given that some of these albums have already been remastered multiple times, it’s hard to imagine that they’ll sound that much better, regardless of the pricey bonus material. Still, it’ll be fun to discover how they’re going to sell these records to us again in 10 more years.   (Joel Ryan / Associated Press)

It’s unclear when it started, but once a band passes 30 or maybe their music lands on NPR, this is the surest way many music fans have discovered to separate them from all the “real” rock out there. In addition to being weirdly ageist and a little cruel (don’t dads get to like music too?), it’s often just inaccurate. For instance, have you heard that new Wilco record?

>> Read the L.A. Times feature on Wilco here   (Andrew A. Nelles / Chicago Tribune)

Always capable of fireworks while fronting the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, this singer’s stormy turn with Trent Reznor on a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” in the trailer for David Fincher‘s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” just might overshadow the film. As Reznor’s howling guitars and grimy electronics close in around her, Karen O brings an icy intensity to Robert Plant‘s original banshee wail. You don’t need any images to get chills from this.   (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

A busy new face for fall with NBC‘s “Whitney” (she also created CBS’ “2 Broke Girls,” which also debuts this week), Cummings may be a decent comic, but her sitcom presence seems to aim far lower. Is it a good sign when a show’s promos focus on a steady diet of tired, battle-of-the-sexes one-liners and three skimpy fetish outfits? It’s all played for laughs, but here’s hoping she has something more original to offer than that.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Wait, is this “new” ABC series a reboot of the movies with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore or the blown-dry original from the ’70s? Granted, Hollywood will never stop trying to wring money out of a story starring three beautiful women, but the show simply isn’t interesting enough to attempt this many times over. Besides, there are so many shows out there that haven’t been remade even once. Where’s the “McCloud” of today?   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

While American culture isn’t exactly in need of another sport to obsess over, it’s hard not to recommend this international import now airing every weekend on ESPN2. Ever gotten swept up in World Cup fever? This is where many of those athletes landed, and the level of play seems even higher. Plus the raucous energy in the stands can be so unusual that watching a match is like a trip abroad in just over two hours. Pictured: Nani of Manchester United.   (Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

It may be a skewed sample, but the most popular discussion on Twitter wasn’t on Osama bin Laden’s death or even last weekend’s East Coast hurricane. It was Beyoncé announcing that she and Jay-Z were reproducing, a bit of breaking nonnews that resulted in a baby bump-sized boost in album and single sales. It’s exciting to wonder where this precedent will lead when the next pop star’s numbers start to flag.   (Chris Pizzello / AP)

With its scheduled appearance Sunday night at the MTV Video Music Awards, the polarizing local hip-hop collective is ripe for another wave of publicity. And while there’s plenty of talent to this 10-piece crew, its taste for courting controversy with violent, misogynistic lyrics overshadows all it does. As unique as Odd Future might be, didn’t we see these moves before with Eminem and (shudder) Limp Bizkit?   (Gorm Olesen / Associated Press)

Gory, trashy and sometimes just goofy, “True Blood” is a show you can either accept on its campy terms or not. And while there isn’t much room in Bon Temps for nuanced dialogue or Shakespearean acting, this Irish stage actress’ turn as coven leader Marnie Stonebrook has been a pleasure. Whether wittily capturing a mousy Wiccan shopkeeper or the spirit of lethal witch Antonia, Shaw remains fang-sharp.  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

After making a splash in the late ‘80s co-leading Tony! Toni! Tone!, Saadiq spent much of his career racking up production credits with D’Angelo, Macy Gray and the Roots. With his latest album, Saadiq has firmly established himself as an essential voice on the soul scene with such an expertly crafted yet utterly modern celebration of vintage funk and soul that it’s a little amazing the record came out in 2011.   (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Oh, look, the multimillionaires settled their differences and will be coming to a TV near you, as if all those reality-challenged negotiations never happened. While in our city we’re spared the price-gouging of Personal Seat Licenses and so much else that goes with seeing a professional sporting event these days, it would behoove franchise owners of all stripes to heed our lesson: L.A. has no team, and life somehow goes on.

Pictured: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media.   (Rob Carr / Getty Images)

Has everyone calmed down about the rental-turned-streaming service jacking up its prices? If not, don’t be fooled into thinking there are no alternatives in this town. If you’re still wedded to physical on-demand DVDs, smartly curated (and quite resilient) local shops such as Vidiots, Cinefile and Videotheque offer movie rentals free of little lost envelopes, “long wait” statuses and the feeling you’re just a bigger profit margin waiting to happen.  (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Starring British comics Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on a mockumentary-styled dining excursion to the north of London, this film ultimately feels as if you’re trapped on vacation with two obnoxious friends. The film has its moments, such as a nuanced public face-off between two Michael Caine impressions, but its repetitive reliance on amplifying the actors’ least pleasant attributes leaves the movie running on fumes.   (Phil Fisk / Associated Press)